Method of constructing an index clip

ABSTRACT

A method of constructing an index clip, embodying a wire spring clip, from a single, rectangular pliable member. The member is first divided longitudinally into four parallel sections. The member is then completely bent and folded along the boundary line between the first and second sections resulting in a first fold. A plurality of spring clips are installed in a spaced-apart relationship on the edge of the first fold. Sections three and four are then covered with a suitable adhesive and the member is completely bent along the boundary line between the second and third sections, near the ends of the springs, resulting in a second fold. The member is then again bent on the line between the third and fourth sections, resulting in a third fold. The folded structure is then pressed tightly for adhesion of the folds to each other and to the springs. Thereafter the folded structure is cut between the springs to produce individual index clips.

[451 Oct. 1, 1974 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING AN INDEX CLIP [76] Inventor: Olin B. Sparks, 8834 Birdwood Rd.,

Houston, Tex. 77036 [22] Filed: July 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 379,281

[52] U.S. Cl 156/227, 29/417, 40/23 A, 93/1 E, 156/213, 156/217, 156/226,

[51] Int. Cl. B29d 23/10, G09f 3/16 [58] Field of Search 156/196, 217, 226, 227, 156/257, 201, 202, 204, 213, 216, 300, 541,

542, 552, 562; 40/10 B, 11 R, 11 A, 13, 16.6,

20 R, 23 A, 26; 24/67 R, 67.3, 67.9; 29/417; 113/116 F, 116 Y, 116 BB; 93/1 E; 161/100,

2ND SECTION 4TH s ECTION 30 Primary ExaminerC1ifton B. Cosby Assistant Examiner-John E. Kittle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael P. Breston [57] ABSTRACT Amethod of constructing an index clip, embodying a wire spring clip, from a single, rectangular pliable member. The member is first divided longitudinally into four parallel sections. The member is then completely bent and folded along the boundary line between the first and second sections resulting in a first fold. A plurality of spring clips are installed in a spaced-apart relationship on the edge of the first fold. Sections three and four are then covered with a suitable adhesive and the member is completely bent along the boundary line between the second and third sections, near the ends of the springs, resulting in a second fold. The member is then again bent on the line between the third and fourth sections, resulting in a third fold. The folded structure is then pressed tightly for adhesion of the folds to each other and to the springs. Thereafter the folded structure is out between the springs to produce individual index clips.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 3RD SECT'ON IST SECTION PMENTED 1 I974 2ND SECT'ON 3RD SECT'ON 4TH SECTON IST ssc'nou ADHESIVE 3O 4TH SECTION R 3 D SECT'ON IST SECTION 2ND SECTION 3RD SECTION IST SECTION 2ND SECTION IST SECTION 4TH SECTION 3RD SECTION 4TH SECTION FIG.5.

FIG. 6;

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING AN INDEX CLIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Spring-biased, folded clips are known. One such clip is described in US. Pat. No. 1,897,755. Another such clip is described in US. Pat. No. 1,818,559. The known clips wherein the inner spring is completely sandwiched between an inner cover and an outer cover have been in the past constructed from at least two distinct members. The inner member was first folded upon itself with the spring clips installed on the folded edge thereof. Then the outer member was folded and the inner surface thereof was glued to the outer surface of the inner member. The construction of such clips from two distinct members is relatively time consuming and the gluing operation requires skilled labor-to maintain the inner and outer members in proper alignment. Additionally, the inner member frequently failed to extend to all edges of the finished product; a rough edge resulted which had a tendency to mutilate documents and other objects upon which the clip was placed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of constructing spring-biased, folded index clips by using only a single member instead of the two members required by the prior art methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method of constructing index clips from a single, rectangular, pliable member which comprises; dividing the member longitudinally into four parallel rectangular sections, forming a first fold between the first and second sections, installing a plurality of spaced-apart spring clips along the edge of the resulting first fold, covering the third and fourth sections with an adhesive, forming a second fold between the second and third section, forming a third fold between the third and fourth sections, adhering the first and fourth sections and the third and second sections respectively, and cutting the folded structure between the spring clips to provide individual index clips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a flat member longitudinally scored to facilitate the folding of the member to the proper dimensions;

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of spring clips installed on the edge of the first fold and an adhesive applied to a portion of the member;

FIG. 3 shows the spring clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the folded structure in the process of being bent on the remaining scores and prior to the folds being interadhered;

FIG. 5 shows the completely folded structure prior to being cut to finished size; and I FIG. 6 shows an individual index clip resulting from the cutting operation.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the same numerals are used to designate the same parts, there is shown a flat member 10 of a suitable material. Member 10 has a rectangular configuration. While all sides thereof may be equal, it is preferred that its length dimension be slightly longer than its width dimension. The material may be paper, leather, plastic, etc., and preferably is a 6 material which will easily accept printed indicia and writing thereon. Materials of various colors may be used to provide the user an additional variety based on color.

To assist in carrying out the construction method of the present invention, on the back face of board 10 are preprinted (a) a plurality of lateral, spring-positioning and cutting marks 12 and (b) longitudinal, fold-scoring marks l5, l6 and 17. Scores 15, 16, and 17 divide board 10 into first, second, third and fourth sections, respectively. The widths of the third, first and fourth sections are made progressively larger than the width of the second section for reasons which will become subsequently apparent.

The scored board is then completely folded on score 15 (FIG. 2) to provide a first fold on the edge of which are installed a plurality of metal spring clips 14. While this invention is not limited to any particular type spring 14, in the preferred embodiment it is a wire spring having a triangular configuration with a base 24 and two equal legs 25 and 26 whose free ends 27, 28 extend past their intersection 29. The legs 25, 26 can be sprung apart to insert therebetween and to exert spring pressure on the edge of a flat article desired to be clipped. If the spring were not covered, it might mutilate the clipped article.

After installing springs 14 on the first fold, a suitable adhesive 30 is applied over the entire surfaces of the second and third sections. Member 10 is then completely bent upon itself first along score 16 and then along score 17. In the folded structure, score 15 will lie below score 17 and their separation may be on the order of a quarter to one-half inch. The completely folded structure is then pressed tightly for adhesion of all glued folds to-each other and to the spring clips (FIG. 5). The folded structure is then cut between the springs along the marks 12 to produce the desired individual index clips 34 (FIG. 6).

With the dimensions as previously given, the upper half 36 of each individual index clip 34 will be shorter than the bottom half 37, which defines a laterally extending portion 37 to facilitate the insertion of a flat, thin article desired to be'clipped. The clipped article will cause the legs 25, 26 of the spring clip 14 to separate but they will continue to exert spring pressure against the edge of the article inserted therebetween. The smooth inner folds of the index clip 34 serve to protect the clipped article against mutilation by the metal spring 14. The outer folds can bear printed legends or other decoration, and as previously mentioned may be of a distinct color.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of constructing index clips from a single, substantially rectangular, pliable member, comprising:

a. dividing the member longitudinally into four parallel sections;

b. forming a first fold on the line between said first and said second sections;

c. installing a plurality of spaced-apart spring clips along the edge of said first fold;

(1. covering said third and fourth sections with an adhesive;

e. forming a second fold along the line between said second and third sections near the inner ends of said clips;

f. forming a third fold along the line between said third and fourth sections; and

3,839,1 18 3 4 g. adhering said second section to said third section h. cutting the folded and adhered structure, resulting and said fourth section to said first section to f t ,l I ll b t d l l t thereby completely enclose said spring clips by said mm 3 a y 6 t Sal sprmg c O f ld produce individual index clips.

2. The method of claim 1, and 5 

1. A method of constructing index clips from a single, substantially rectangular, pliable member, comprising: a. dividing the member longitudinally into four parallel sections; b. forming a first fold on the line between said first and said second sections; c. installing a plurality of spaced-apart spring clips along the edge of said first fold; d. covering said third and fourth sections with an adhesive; e. forming a second fold along the line between said second and third sections near the inner ends of said clips; f. forming a third fold along the line between said third and fourth Sections; and g. adhering said second section to said third section and said fourth section to said first section to thereby completely enclose said spring clips by said folds.
 2. The method of claim 1, and h. cutting the folded and adhered structure, resulting from step (g), laterally between said spring clips to produce individual index clips. 